Latin 100 1997: The biggest Latin banks
Latin 100 1997: Methodology and Definitions
| Rank | Bank | Country | Fiscal period | Shareholders' equity % | Equity growth % | Total assets $m | Asset growth % | Net income $m | Income growth % | Return on equity | $ rate differential % |
| 1 | Banco Bradesco | Brazil | 1996 | 5,385 | 13.14 | 37,307 | 17.96 | 815 | -31.64 | 15.14 | 6.9 |
| 2 | Banco do Brasil | Brazil | 1996 | 5,382 | 61.32 | 79,524 | 3.48 | -7,243 | n/m | -134.58 | 6.9 |
| 3 | Caixa Economica Federal | Brazil | 1996 | 4,015 | 18.2 | 90,820 | 17.36 | 265 | -884.33 | 6.6 | 6.9 |
| 4 | Banco Itaú | Brazil | 1996 | 3,869 | 11.66 | 30,832 | 31.06 | 579 | 358.22 | 14.98 | 6.9 |
| 5 | Banco Hipotecario Nacional | Argentina | 1996 | 2,767 | 5.27 | 4,394 | 3.85 | 281 | -13.47 | 10.17 |